What Comes Next_
Thoughts on AI, predictive text, technological metaphors, and the string of thought.
🚦Want safer roads? Make them seem more dangerous
The transformation of a busy intersection into a safer, more harmonious space showcases the power of human awareness in traffic dynamics.
📚Biology
On the hidden images and stories within the books on my shelves, much like Brian Dettmer's artwork.
📜The Rosetta Disk
The Rosetta Disk serves as a remarkable effort to preserve the world's linguistic heritage for future generations. “Languages of the World
📱The world is their crib sheet
A Sydney school is innovating exams by allowing online resources and collaboration to better reflect real-world information access.
🥤Carbonation nation
An exploration of regional names for soft drinks across the U.S.
🌱More than playgrounds
A glimpse into how outdoor classrooms are transforming student behavior in Boston’s schoolyards. “[The kids] sort of recognize this as kind of a special place. They’re quieter, more orderly,” Ms. Whittemore said.
🧥Tokyo vintage
Vintage fashion linking Tokyo and Hollywood.
🏓A long way from the rec room
A humorous take on the chaotic nature of doubles table tennis from Robert Weintraub.
🆕Cuba’s generation y
An exploration of how naming in Cuba serves as an act of creative resistance against political and cultural constraints.
🔥Whiskey Devil, decor crew, Burning Man Center Camp
Deep in the Nevada desert, Black Rock City prepares for Burning Man 2008 with the pre-Burn tradition of mini-Burning Man ceremonies.
🌊Chand Baori (stepwell), India, by Doron
Here’s a glimpse into the architectural marvel of Chand Baori, a 9th-century stepwell that beautifully illustrates community access to water.
🍧The meals on the bus go round and round
A delightful exploration of Ecuador's vibrant bus culture and the unique culinary experiences found along the way.
🏚️Wayne Ave., Dayton, Ohio
An observation on the resilient charm of a Dayton neighborhood. "Much of the neighborhood around Wayne Street and Xenia Ave. seems down on its heels -- lots of boarded-up doors and windows -- but I liked both the remaining (and reasonably maintained) Victorian detail on this pair of houses, and the added patriotic bunting, which both fits in with the architecture and adds an ephemeral touch, a reminder that people are actively caring for this place."
🍔Chain mosques
Exploring how the rise of multi-site mosque chains mirrors the fast-food model, emphasizing accessibility and modern amenities for worshippers.
🌲My pleasant uninteresting place
In the reflections on a tranquil life, Walker Percy captures the essence of his surroundings in Covington.
🎶Never mind the propaganda, let’s dance!
An exploration of the vibrant musical culture of Kinshasa and the phenomenon of libanga in Congolese music.
🌌Onion field, rural Washington, by Emily Gatch
A field of mature onions going to seed, showcasing their unique floral structures.
🖼️Naming and photography
An exploration into the power of context in photography and how simple alterations can create misleading narratives.
🎢Not a place where you can get hurt
Quoting Andy Crouch on the garden versus the theme park.
🟡The El, by Daniel Hauben
A beautiful celebration of the Bronx through vibrant glass panels at Freeman Street Station.
📚A year of… books
A reflection on people who dedicate a year to a unique challenge and then document their experiences in a book.
🌍Eiffel Tower, by Mojca Vilfan
This reflection on perspective evokes not only a visual experience but also deep connections to stories and memories.
⏳Unix, five hundred years on
A reflection on the enduring nature of cultural creations and the unexpected permanence of what was once deemed temporary.
🤝Friendship as a pre-existing condition
Exploring the intersection of friendship and law, particularly in caregiving and gifts.
🎤Screaming lessons
An insight into the art of vocal cultivation, focusing on the unique craft of screaming taught by vocal coach Melissa Cross in New York.
🎨Taggers abhor a vacuum
The Antonio family tried to combat graffiti by commissioning a mural, but their effort was thwarted by city regulations leading to its removal and the return of taggers.
🎭Twenty years experience needed
Brian Eno reflects on the deep-rooted theatrical traditions and community spirit of Oberammergau.
🎭Not in my intellectual back yard
This piece explores how excessive intellectual property rights can stifle creativity and innovation in various fields.
🎨The Lacemaker (detail), by Johannes Vermeer
Lawrence Weschler beautifully reflects on Vermeer's "The Lacemaker," illuminating its focus on concentration and craft.
🤸Children practicing gymnastics, by Qiu Yan
Exploring the new culture that emerges as children train for the Olympics in China.
🎓DIY country, DIY university
An insightful look at Somaliland, a breakaway republic that thrives amidst challenges, highlighting its democratic aspirations and return of former refugees.
🌍The claims we make on nature and beauty
An insightful critique by Rebecca Solnit on the intersection of beauty, nature, and politics in sports, particularly during the Olympics.
🗣️ah-SEE-shə
A linguistic critique on the mispronunciation of "Ossetia" and insights into its cultural and political significance.
🍍Fruteria on the corner of Billinghurst and Mansilla, by Thomas Locke Hobbs
A thoughtful reflection on the artistry of fruit displays, inspired by a special pineapple.
🌆Garbage barges vs. vertical farms
Exploring why urban environments may not be ideal for high-tech food production despite their many advantages.
🚕Abu Ali, Shabbos Goy
A unique interaction between cultures emerges when a Muslim taxi driver helps observant Jews on the Sabbath.
🍗“The food here is awful!”
Sudhir Venkatesh explores the stark contrasts between a millionaire's experiences and those of a local squatter in Chicago's impoverished neighborhoods.
🧐The problem with critique as a posture
Quoting Andy Crouch on the strange passivity of a critical attitude.
🚰The real thing?
A creative proposal to leverage Coca-Cola's distribution for lifesaving rehydration salts.
🎨Untitled, by Pasquale Ottaiano
A reflection on the intriguing interplay between art and the viewer, as captured in a moment of deep contemplation.
🏗️Tower of Lego Babel
Kanye draws parallels between a new Toronto tower and the Tower of Babel, with its colorful Lego flags representing many nations.
🌱Tracking global warming, one garden at a time
The beauty of citizen science allows gardeners to contribute to our understanding of climate change through careful observation of plant behavior.
🤠Your church home on the range
Cowboy churches blend country charm with spiritual devotion, creating a unique worship experience.
✝️The only really effective apologia
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger reflects on the true testimonies of Christianity through the lives of saints and the beauty of art instead of mere apologetics.
🕊️The wonder (and scandal) of conversion
An exploration of the complex nature of conversion and identity, illustrated through Jennie Baker's experience with Orthodoxy in England.
📜¡Viva Leviticus!
The "30-Day Leviticus Challenge" sheds light on the often overlooked significance of the Law for believers today.
🎻Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble
Reflecting on the cultural tapestry of the Silk Road, here's a remarkable in-studio performance by Yo-Yo Ma and his ensemble from 2005.
🍲Community kitchens in Lima, Peru
Women in Peru unite through community kitchens, not only to feed those in need but also to empower themselves and demand change.
🏛️How Buildings Learn TV series
A deep exploration of how architecture adapts over time, as illustrated in Stewart Brand's impactful book and documentary series.
📖The Gulag Archipelago’s first readers
The tangible experience of reading _Gulag Archipelago_ resonates deeply in the memories of its first readers.